Universal Music USA launches revitalised Universal Music Classics

Formerly known as the Decca Label Group, the new UMC will be ‘the label to watch’, says Universal Music CEO Max Hole

Thu 31st October 2013

Universal Music Group is embarking on a ‘revitalised commitment’ to its classical department in the US by launching Universal Music Classics. Formerly the Decca Label Group, the new Universal Music Classics encompasses Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, Mercury Classics and Panorama imprints, while continuing its relationship with the ECM label.

The rebranded division will be headed by Elizabeth Sobol, who was appointed its president by Universal Music Group International chairman and CEO, Max Hole earlier this year. Sobol was formerly managing director of IMG Artists, working personally with the likes of Joshua Bell, Itzhak Perlman, the Emerson String Quartet, Evgeny Kissin and James Galway. She has already made two executive appointments to the division: Leslie Collman-Smith, formerly of Sony Masterworks, as senior vice president of Marketing; and Collin Rae, formerly of Naxos America, as vice president of Digital Sales.